Coming to America sequel in the works with original writers

Paramount Pictures has hired Barry Blaustein and David Sheffield, the screenwriters of the 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy, to pen a potential sequel, EW has confirmed.

The project is in the early stages of development, and it’s currently unclear whether Murphy would reprise his role as Akeem Joffer, a pampered African prince who travels to New York City undercover to find an independent-minded wife. Representatives for Murphy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

John Landis directed the original film, which also starred Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, and Shari Headley. Blaustein and Sheffield went on to co-write the Murphy movies Boomerang, The Nutty Professor, and Nutty Professor II.

Last month, Murphy’s verified Twitter account raised the notion of a Coming to America sequel, only for the entire account to disappear shortly afterward.